Search - Howard Mcghee :: Return of

Mercurial Bop Trumpet Without the Switchblades

Wayne Dawson | New Zealand | 05/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a 1955 session with Sahib Shihab on reeds putting across some fine, soulful baritone solos and doubling on alto sax but Maggie holds center stage. Duke Jordon on piano, Percy Heath on bass and Philly Joe on the kit make it all swing with ease over a boppish beat while Howard sails through the tunes with that rich, supple, lyrical tone of his. Despite an 18 month recording absence prior to this date, nothing detracts from Howard's sparkling verve or mellow, inner glow (just listen to his breath-taking rendition of Lullaby of the Leaves with Philly Joe's superb brushwork close at hand); Miles Davis certainly had a mentor and Howard McGhee was his man. This is a great band that interacts beautifully. Remastered in 2000, it would be a pity to see this slip off the radar. Perhaps a cheaper 24-bit remastered edition could be done in the States."